RADIO
Kenny Gainwell Sneaks into Flex Conversation
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is set to make his team debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Gainwell will get a plus matchup to start against a Bengals defense that ranked in the bottom 10 this past season. The expectation is that Gainwell will play a similar role to what Rachaad White has done in Tampa Bay in the past. He'll likely be the favorite back in passing situations, but unlike White, Gainwell can be a trusted runner as well. Gainwell saw a career-high 114 rushing attempts this past season and averaged 4.71 YPC. He'll operate as the primary backup to Bucky Irving, but Gainwell should be one of the more trusted backups around the league. For fantasy managers in PPR leagues, Gainwell can be a legit flex option for the season opener against the Bengals.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving Holds Viable RB2 Value for Season Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is expected to bounce back after battling some injuries last season. Irving only played 10 games last season, but he rushed for nearly 600 yards in that span. During his rookie campaign, Irving finished as the RB13, so the Bucs are hopeful to get similar results to that in 2026. It remains to be seen how much the addition of Kenny Gainwell will impact Irving's value in the backfield. The expectation is that Gainwell will play a similar role to what Rachaad White did in years past. Irving might see a reduction in carries, but he remains a solid RB2 against a shaky Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 1. Fantasy managers should get a better idea of how the Bucs plan to use this backfield as the season goes on.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zay Flowers Officially Cleared to Play in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) has no injury designation on Friday and is good to go for the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. Flowers was initially limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but he was upgraded to full on Thursday, clearing the way for the 26-year-old to be ready this weekend to kick off the new season. The former first-rounder from Boston College is the team's unquestioned top target for quarterback Lamar Jackson, and in Declan Doyle's new offense, the 5-foot-9 shifty wideout could thrive. Flowers had 1,211 receiving yards in a season in which Jackson struggled to stay healthy, so he has clear WR1 potential if Jackson and the Ravens' offense can turn it around. Flowers should be locked and loaded as a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in Week 1 against the Colts on Sunday.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Brian Wacker
Baker Mayfield Offers QB1 Value in Favorable Matchup
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield opens up the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fresh off an extension, Mayfield is ready to make some noise to start the season. The 31-year-old finished as the QB12 last season, but finished as a top-10 QB each of the last two seasons before that. The Bucs are without long-time wide receiver Mike Evans, who departed in free agency. The Bucs believe that Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. can carry the load in the passing game. Mayfield will get a favorable matchup to start against the Bengals' defense, which ranked in the bottom-10 this past season. The 31-year-old might not be as great a fantasy option as years past, but he carries QB1 value into Week 1.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
T.J. Hockenson A Middling Option Against Green Bay
Tight end T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings should be considered a mid-range TE2 when his team opens the season by playing host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The veteran has had quite the roller coaster since being traded to the Vikings, posting top-five fantasy seasons in 2022 and 2023 before a major knee injury changed his outlook. Hockenson played only 10 games in 2024, and the Vikings' quarterback limitations held Hockenson to just 438 receiving yards and a career-worst 8.6 yards per catch in 15 contests last year. Now healthy and still just 29 years old, Hockenson could be one of the beneficiaries of Minnesota signing quarterback Kyler Murray. The Packers ranked 21st against PPR tight ends last year, but Hockenson's volume is unpredictable with receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and now Jauan Jennings all candidates to draw key targets. Rated RotoBaller's No. 20 tight end for Week 1, Hockenson is a depth piece in standard formats for now, but he could become a significant riser if the Vikings' offense takes off behind Murray.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love Officially Listed as Questionable to Play in Week 1
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play in his team's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com. The third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Love is battling an ankle injury that he suffered during Arizona's second preseason game and is expected to be a game-time decision in Week 1. The 21-year-old is widely regarded as an elite running back prospect after recording over 3,000 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns across his final two collegiate seasons at Notre Dame. Given his high-end talent, Love's season-long upside for fantasy managers is considerable. However, even if he's active in Week 1, it seems likely that Arizona will manage Love's workload by giving plenty of touches to veteran running back Tyler Allgeier. Assuming he's able to play on Sunday, fantasy managers should view Love as a high-end flex option against the Chargers.
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: azcardinals.com - Darren Urban
Difficult Matchup Facing Vikings D/ST In First Game
One of the top options in fantasy football during the tenure of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings D/ST is merely a mid-tier choice in Week 1 when the Green Bay Packers visit U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota finished tied for fourth in sacks in the NFL last season and will return 10 of its top 11 tacklers now that legendary safety Harrison Smith is back for another year. The rival Packers, however, have been an efficient opponent that concluded last season with the third-fewest turnovers and converted third downs at the NFL's second-best percentage. The Vikings should have plenty of fantasy appeal this season, but as RotoBaller's 14th-ranked option in Week 1, managers in most leagues should be able to find a stronger play to start the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corbin Carroll Ready to Rock on Friday Night
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (back) has returned to the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers and left-hander MacKenzie Gore, starting in right field and batting fifth, per MLB.com. As expected, Carroll is back in action after missing the last two games with discomfort in his lower back. After testing on Thursday, the D-backs deemed Carroll good to go to play this weekend at Chase Field in the desert. Although the former National League Rookie of the Year has hit only .136 (3-for-22) with no walks and eight strikeouts in six games in September, he should be returned to starting fantasy lineups as the Snakes look to put themselves into the final wild-card spot in the NL in the final couple of weeks of the season. Against lefties this year, Carroll has thrived, batting .310 (52-for-168) against them with five of his 19 home runs. Carroll has only faced Gore five times in his career and is hitting .200 against him with a .400 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Starting Potential For Will Reichard In Week 1
Coming off a season in which he was named a first-team All-Pro selection, kicker Will Reichard is a starting candidate when the Minnesota Vikings open the season against Green Bay in Week 1. The Alabama product was outstanding in 2025, when he made all 31 of his extra points and 33 of 35 field goal attempts, including all 22 attempts from inside 50 yards. Even better for managers, the Vikings' offense should be more competent in 2026 with the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray. The third-year kicker will also play 11 of his 17 games this season indoors, starting with Sunday's contest at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Reichard is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked kicker in Week 1, but if he continues his form from last year, he'll certainly be in the mix to be a plug-and-play starter this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Bauers Playing Against Reds on Friday
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (shin) is starting at first base and is batting fifth for the Brewers in Friday night's contest at home against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and left-hander Andrew Abbott, according to MLB.com. Bauers has been managing shin splints of late, but after three straight games missed, he will return to the heart of the Brewers' batting order at American Family Field. It has been a breakout season for the left-handed-hitting Bauers in 2026, but he has gone 2-for-17 (.118) with a homer, 12 walks, and seven strikeouts in eight games so far in September after hitting .295/.451/.487 with four homers and 13 RBI in 24 games in August. Bauers has only faced the lefty Abbott twice in his career and is still searching for his first hit, but he does have an RBI against him. Against southpaws in 2026, Bauers has been solid, hitting .267 (32-for-120) with six of his career-high 24 homers coming against them.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ashton Jeanty Off the Injury Report, Good to Go for Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle) is officially off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jeanty suffered an ankle injury in training camp that has limited his practice availability leading up to the regular season, but it appears he will be on the field for Week 1. Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Jeanty recorded 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns on 321 touches. While the 22-year-old averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season, he should have a significantly improved offensive line in front of him in 2026. The Raiders may take a touch or two off of Jeanty's plate in Week 1, but he still profiles as a three-down workhorse who should see plenty of volume against Miami. Now that he's officially cleared to play, Jeanty profiles as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option for fantasy managers against Miami.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jac Caglianone Remains Out With Elbow Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains out of Friday's lineup at Fenway Park against the hosting Boston Red Sox with a left flexor strain in his elbow, according to MLB.com. It will be Caglianone's fifth straight missed game, and if he cannot return during the weekend series in Boston, the Royals might have to put him on the 10-day injured list. John Rave will make another start in right field for KC and will bat sixth against Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray. Caglianone got off to a rather slow start in 2026 in his first full season in the big leagues, but he turned it around quickly and became a must-start for fantasy managers for his power from the left side of the plate. The former first-rounder from Florida is missing valuable games during the fantasy postseason, but hopefully he can return to the field at some point this weekend in Beantown. Over 474 at-bats this year, Caglianone is slashing a strong .283/.331/.494 with an .825 OPS, 23 long balls, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases. He has even hit .260 (39-for-150) with seven homers and 18 RBI against left-handed pitchers. Check back on Saturday to see if he is active for the Royals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Keaton Mitchell Off the Injury Report, Cleared for Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (hamstring) is off the injury report and will play in his team's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a hamstring injury, but he practiced in full on Friday and appears to be good to go for Week 1. The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Chargers in free agency after recording 404 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 68 touches across 13 games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Entering 2026, Mitchell is expected to be the RB2 in Los Angeles behind second-year back Omarion Hampton. While Mitchell has been a highly efficient rusher when given the opportunity to this point in his career, he is unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload in the Chargers offense as long as Hampton remains healthy.
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN - Kris Rhim
Adley Rutschman Returns to Friday's Lineup
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) is doing the catching for right-hander Sonny Gray and will bat third in his return to the starting lineup on Friday at Fenway Park against the visiting Kansas City Royals and veteran right-hander Seth Lugo, per MLB.com. Rutschman is feeling better after receiving a cortisone injection earlier this week to deal with a hyperextended elbow that has been bothering him for over a week now. He sat out the Red Sox's last two games, but hopefully he can put the injury in the rearview mirror down the stretch of the regular season. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop has had a trying year in 2026 that included a trade from the Baltimore Orioles to Beantown. Overall, the former first overall pick is hitting .237/.315/.424 with a .739 OPS, 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 39 runs scored in his 316 at-bats. The three-time All-Star did have a two-homer game with Boston, but in 19 games since being acquired, he has gone just 13-for-69 (.188) with four homers, two doubles, nine RBI, nine runs, six walks, and 19 strikeouts. Rutschman has faced Lugo only six times in his career and has hit .167 against him with a .334 OPS in a small sample size.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Malik Nabers Officially Listed as Questionable for Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers is still working his way back to full strength from the devastating knee injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 4. The 23-year-old has practiced in full this week and deflected questions about a possible workload restriction on Thursday, but it appears his status for the season opener is still up in the air. When healthy, Nabers profiles as the clear number one option in the Giants' passing game. Across 15 games as a rookie in 2024, the 23-year-old recorded 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on 170 targets. If he's active on Sunday, Nabers profiles as a high-risk, high-reward WR2 option for fantasy managers. If Nabers is out, Giants wide receivers Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and Odell Beckham Jr. could all be in line for increased workloads.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
